Briefly

UKRAINE

IAEA to keep presence at Zaporizhzhia plant

The International Atomic Energy Agency said on Thursday it will maintain the presence of its experts at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant despite a recent drone attack on its official vehicle. On Tuesday, one of the agency's vehicles heading to the plant for a planned staff rotation was severely damaged by a drone strike. Fortunately, staff members on board were unharmed. Russia and Ukraine have since blamed each other for the attack.

Energy sector faces massive Russian attack

Russia has carried out a massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure in retaliation for Kyiv's use of US-supplied ATACMS missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. The ministry said that air — and sea-based long-range precision weapons and drones were used against "critical facilities of Ukraine's fuel and energy infrastructure that support the military-industrial complex". Earlier that day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia fired 93 missiles and almost 200 drones, describing it as one of the heaviest bombardments of the country's energy sector since the conflict started.

BRAZIL

President Lula to seek reelection in 2026

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will seek reelection in 2026, the presidency's Secretary of Social Communication Paulo Pimenta confirmed on Thursday. In an interview with CNN Brasil, Pimenta assured that the president was in good health following medical interventions to treat a brain bleed, adding he was "the most qualified and prepared person" to continue leading the country. Lula's medical team said the president should be discharged next Monday or Tuesday.

Agencies - Xinhua